Hundreds take part in Easter coal-carrying race
Each Easter Monday, hundreds of participants in West Yorkshire test their physical endurance through a unique tradition. The annual World Coal Carrying Championships in the village of Gawthorpe, near Ossett, drew 240 competitors who transported sacks of coal over a distance of 3,320ft (about 1,000m).
Tradition and challenge
Men bore 7st 12lb (50kg) sacks, while women carried 3st 2lb (20kg) loads, moving them from the Royal Oak pub to the village’s Maypole Green. Craig Heppenstall, who secured his over-40s world champion title again this year, described the experience as physically demanding. “It feels like it gets heavier each year. When you put it on, you’re like, ‘Why am I doing this?’ And then you can really feel it on your legs,” he shared.
Origins and growth
The race, held annually on Easter Monday, originated from a casual conversation among local men in a pub. One of them was a coal merchant, who sparked the idea. Since that initial challenge in 1963, the event has gained global attention, with participants and spectators flocking to witness the uphill spectacle.
Community spirit
Race organizer Duncan Smith noted that this year’s event was a “brilliant day” with ideal weather, contrasting with the previous three years of relentless rain. Tickets sold out rapidly, and 165 children joined fun runs as part of the festivities. Spectator Yazmin Azad highlighted the event’s role in uniting the community. “It’s amazing. A tradition that’s been around for so many years, and it just gets bigger and better every single year,” she said. “Everyone gets together, everyone’s racing. It’s an adrenaline rush and everyone loves it.”
Heppenstall narrowly missed equalling the world record time of four minutes and 57 seconds for his category, crediting the crowd’s encouragement. “Their cheers and shouts keep you moving. They’ll say, ‘Come on, keep that momentum. You’re nearly there,’ and it makes you want to reach the finish line,” he added.
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
